USC Upstate to play for A-Sun softball crown

Staff reports

Published: Friday, May 10, 2013 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 12:46 a.m.

In Nashville, Tenn., Jamie Ujvari took a perfect game into the seventh as the USC Upstate softball team took a 9-2 victory over top-seeded North Florida on Friday night and advanced to today's Atlantic Sun tournament championship against Lipscomb.

Upstate (39-10) lost 4-2 to Lipscomb in the early game on Friday. The game was tied at 2 heading into the seventh when Gracey Aguirre hit a two-run homer for Lipscomb off Hannah Alexander (15-5). The Spartans need to beat Lipscomb twice today to win the tournament and advance to an NCAA regional.

With the Spartans facing elimination, Ujvari (19-3) came through in the nightcap, which was delayed by rain. She struck out 11 and didn't allow a baserunner until the seventh, when she allowed a pair of solo homers with the game already out of reach.

Meredith Barnes, Cheyenne Griffin and Dana Landers each hit homers in Upstate's win. The day was a big one for Griffin, who was celebrating her 20th birthday and homered in both games. She had three hits in the nightcap.

“I am really proud that the team dealt with a tough loss earlier in the day and the rain delay before the start of the UNF game to come out and play the way we did,” Upstate head coach Chris Hawkins said. “Everyone contributed, we got a great effort out of Ujvari, and played great defense. I am really proud of how we dealt with (adversity) to come through with a big win and advance to the championship.”

<p>In Nashville, Tenn., Jamie Ujvari took a perfect game into the seventh as the USC Upstate softball team took a 9-2 victory over top-seeded North Florida on Friday night and advanced to today's Atlantic Sun tournament championship against Lipscomb.</p><p>Upstate (39-10) lost 4-2 to Lipscomb in the early game on Friday. The game was tied at 2 heading into the seventh when Gracey Aguirre hit a two-run homer for Lipscomb off Hannah Alexander (15-5). The Spartans need to beat Lipscomb twice today to win the tournament and advance to an NCAA regional.</p><p>With the Spartans facing elimination, Ujvari (19-3) came through in the nightcap, which was delayed by rain. She struck out 11 and didn't allow a baserunner until the seventh, when she allowed a pair of solo homers with the game already out of reach.</p><p>Meredith Barnes, Cheyenne Griffin and Dana Landers each hit homers in Upstate's win. The day was a big one for Griffin, who was celebrating her 20th birthday and homered in both games. She had three hits in the nightcap. </p><p>“I am really proud that the team dealt with a tough loss earlier in the day and the rain delay before the start of the UNF game to come out and play the way we did,” Upstate head coach Chris Hawkins said. “Everyone contributed, we got a great effort out of Ujvari, and played great defense. I am really proud of how we dealt with (adversity) to come through with a big win and advance to the championship.”</p>